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American Heritage Rivers |  |
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American Heritage Rivers Keystone ProjectBlackstone-Woonasquatucket - 1Woonasquatucket River Watershed Restoration Initiative Project Summary Two recent studies conducted on the Woonasquatucket River Watershed identified more than 36 riparian buffer projects and over 75 degraded wetland sites and many more impacted upland vegetation sites. Wetland and habitat restoration and water quality improvements are top priorities of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC). This proposal recommends action in two areas: 1) restoration of 5-10 riparian sites to establish a stronger regional and habitat corridor connection; and 2) restoration of 5 or more wetland sites within the watershed (aiming to have, at a minimum, restoration in each river community). Note that in some cases, restoration projects will include recreational components such as river access, boat ramps as well as setting the stage for future fish passageways as the health of the river improves. Stormwater improvements will also be critical elements of any restoration project. Project Benefit The Woonasquatucket River faces multiple challenges including improving water quality conditions (several portions of the river are currently impaired), growth management along the river and recognition that private citizens and businesses must serve as stewards to this critical ecosystem. There is interest within the watershed to promote the river as a viable recreational and tourism attraction. In Providence, the popular Water Fire event gets thousands of people from around New England to the river. Ninety-six per cent of property along the Woonasquatucket River is privately owned. The WRWC has begun work with its river communities for habitat and wetland restoration work. These initial partnerships will provide awareness of the importance of restoring the river and its wetland systems along with the positive role that local citizens can play in bringing the health of the river system back. Initial successes within this highly urbanized river system should also lead to enabling other partnerships with businesses (Corporate Wetlands Program). The WRWC is committed to a swimmable, fishable Woonasquatucket River by 2020. To achieve this, the WRWC will be setting priorities and measures as to how much improvement has occurred in terms of water quality and the amount of acres restored within the watershed. Current Partnerships
Project Stage/Status The Riparian study and the Wetland Study have been provided to the WRWC. (The US Forest Service provided $67,000 for the riparian study and EPA funded the ongoing wetland study). As a result, the WRWC has established an Action Team for Restoration Projects within the Woonasquatucket River Watershed. This Action Team is working with the local river communities to prioritize which sites are top candidates for action including opportunities to connect with private landowners for possible partnership projects. Additionally, the WRWC will be overseeing a restoration project in Smithfield on a municipally owned property. Cost Estimate Riparian Buffer restoration for 5 projects: $350,000 - 500,000** does not include one project under consideration in Johnston which would combine restoration, recreation and bike path elements on a 22-acre parcel that will likely cost several hundred thousand as there is strong likelihood of contamination) Wetland Restoration for 5 projects: $300,000 - $750,000 A range is provided based on the fact that some projects will vary in size and scope Total: $650,00 - $1,250,000 * add $500,000 for Johnston project Resources Needed Grants for riparian buffer restoration Proposed Champion: USDA NRCS Champion Partners
Political Support Senators Jack Reed and Lincoln Chafee along with Congressmen Patrick Kennedy and James Langevin are strong supporters of the Woonasquatucket River. Other Initiatives Supported Corporate Wetlands River Navigator Johanna M. Hunter Blackstone-Woonasquatucket - 2Blackstone River Fish Restoration Project Project Summary The Blackstone River Fish Restoration Steering Committee, a collaborative group involving state and federal agency representatives, hydroelectric power plant owners, and other local and regional stakeholders from MA and RI, developed a phased restoration plan for restoring river herring and shad to the Blackstone River in RI. In the lower four miles of the river, four existing dams block access to upstream habitat. The restoration strategy focuses on providing upstream fish passage at these facilities as well as measures to protect out-migrating juvenile fish. Ultimately, restoration of anadromous fish to the Blackstone River represents one component of a larger strategy to restore ecological functions and values to Narragansett Bay, New England's largest natural estuary. The first phase of the restoration plan is estimated to cost from $1.9 million to $2.4 million to complete depending on the need for downstream protection measures. Phase 1 contains four dams currently blocking migration (Main Street Dam, Slater Mill Dam, Elizabeth Webbing Dam, and Valley Falls Dam). All of these dams, with the exception of Slater Mill, are operating hydroelectric projects regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The primary habitat in this section of river is located above the Valley Falls Dam in the Lonsdale area, which represents over 80 percent of the total available spawning habitat. Improved public access and growing demand for places to fish on the Blackstone demonstrate the need for moving forward with a well-designed plan. The goal is to have fish passage constructed on the lower two dams by 2008 and the other two dams by 2010. Project Benefits Restoration of anadromous fish to the Blackstone River would provide substantial ecological benefits for the Blackstone River watershed and the Narragansett Bay Ecosystem, as well as economic benefits for the communities of the Blackstone Valley and beyond. Specifically, the re-established fish runs would:
Additionally, more than 20 acres of an old drive-in theater in Lincoln are being restored to wetlands habitat through a combined state, URI, Army Corps, EPA and US Fish and Wildlife and Marine Fisheries partnership. This $2 million project, which will be completed by fall 2003, will result in the largest freshwater wetland restoration in RI and will serve as the spawning grounds for herring. The state of RI has also committed to stocking the river beginning in 2005-2008 thus providing the critical species for fish passage. Current Partnerships
Project Stage/Status The Blackstone River Fish Restoration Plan was finalized in 2002 after several public forums. The Narragansett Bay Estuary Program received a small grant ($28,000) from the John H Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor to provide more detailed engineering and recommend the best-phased approach for fish passage with more up to date and accurate costs for implementation. Cost Estimate Initial cost estimates will require between $1.9 and $2.4 million to complete depending on the need for downstream protection measures. (estimates are based on conceptual designs developed by the USFWS and Army Corps) Resources Needed Grants for fish passage Proposed Champion: U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Champion Partners Army Corps Political Support The entire Congressional delegation from MA and RI see this project as part of the Blackstone River's "legacy" and strongly support the effort. Other Initiatives Supported Corporate Wetlands River Navigator Johanna M. Hunter Blackstone-Woonasquatucket - 3Woonasquatucket River Heritage Trail Project Summary A high priority of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) is the design and implementation of a Heritage Trail along the Woonasquatucket River corridor. The Woonasquatucket River Heritage Trail will highlight the historical and cultural contributions of the river to Rhode Island's heritage. With the exception of downtown Providence, there are few opportunities for residents to learn about the historic contributions of the river and the mill industry to the growth and development of communities along the river, and the contributions that early industrial research and development in the Woonasquatucket River corridor made to the industrial growth throughout the country. The Woonasquatucket River Heritage Trail proposal includes marking and signage for 48 historic buildings and 57 historic sites located in the river corridor. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is completing the design for the Woonasquatucket River Greenway, a bike path linking the city of Providence and the town of Johnston. The first phase of the bike path was unveiled in July 2002 with another two segments due for construction by 2004. The Woonasquatucket River Heritage Trail will provide points of interest along this new bicycle/pedestrian path and in village centers along the river. All of our watershed communities support highlighting these important historic assets as contributing to the economic growth, river awareness and environmental protections in their communities. Additional studies by the RIDOT and the RI Department of Environmental Management are planned for greenspace and bike path linkages along the entire river corridor, linking our six watershed communities. Project Benefit The Woonasquatucket River Heritage Trail will enhance our regional effort to promote restoration and protection of the historic and natural assets of the river, economic growth along the river corridor, and appreciation for the Woonasquatucket River as a historic and natural asset in the communities along the river. The Heritage Trail system will also create an awareness of the value of a predominantly urban river system and the role communities have in protecting and restoring the river. As signage in limited locations in Providence already exists, this proposal works to maintain continuity by utilizing the design of the existing signs. The WRWC will lead the effort in connecting communities to the river through the development of the Heritage Trail. Community outreach and advocacy is a key ingredient to the success of the trail project. There are opportunities to enhance recreational use of the river and tie in with another Keystone Project for the Woonasquatucket River - Restoration of the River. Current Partnerships
Project Stage/Status The WRWC has worked closely with river communities and the state historic preservation officials in identifying buildings and locations that represent a key piece of the Woonasquatucket River's cultural and historic heritage. Signage is already visible in only 2 well traveled locations: Water Place Park in downtown Providence and the historic Manton Bridge at the Providence/Johnston line. The RI Department of Transportation unveiled the first phase of the Woonasquatucket River Bike Path in July 2002 for a one mile on-road segment in Providence. Future construction will include the development of parks and the continuation of the bicycle path at two Brownfield sites that are part of the Woonasquatucket River Greenway Brownfield Showcase Community program. The restoration of the Riverside Mills Brownfield site is significant in that it includes the last remaining mill building of an historic mill complex, and will become the largest outdoor recreational facility in the Federally designated enterprise neighborhood of Olneyville in Providence. Cost Estimate $945,000 for two year project which includes 103 signs, project oversight, community outreach and workshops. Resources Needed Grants to fund heritage trail signage design, construction and installation over a 2-year period Grants to fund community outreach and project oversight over a 2-year period Proposed Champion: U.S. Department of Transportation Champion Partners NPS Political Support Strong support from both Senators and Congressmen in RI. Governor Almond has cited bike paths and related heritage trails as one of his key accomplishments with close to 70 miles having been built in RI. River Navigator Johanna M. Hunter
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